Internal-combustion-engine appliance



Aug. 30,1927.

1.,. ROGERS INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE APPLIANCE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 1'7. 1925 lNVEN TOR Lea Rogers.

ATTORNEYS 1,641,052' 1927' ROGERS INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE APPLIANCE 3 Filed Aug. 1 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 INVENTOR Lew Fodelfi ATTORNEY6 Patented Aug. 30, 1927.

Pain:N o rr cs LEW ROGERS,'OF.CARSON CITY, NEVADA.

INTERiTAL-COMBUSTION-ENGINE APPLIANCE. i

Applicationfiled August 17, 1925. Serial No. 50,620.

This invention related to an internal-combustion-engine appliance, and has for its object to providea novelcombined apparatus,

whereby the air used in Combustion in the 2. Cleaned of all dirt and dust by being siphoned through a cleaning fluid, as water, thus greatly lessening wear on cylmder -Walls, pistons, and valves, and removing the nuclei of carbon formation inside the engine; I

8. Partly saturated with moisture, (when water is the cleaning fluid used), whereby greater explosive energy is secured from the gaseous mixture, and carbon formation is also greatly lessened; and whereby, through a more nearly perfect combustion of the gaseous mixture, dilution of the lubricating oil is lessened.

A further object of the'invention is the provision of means adjustable at thewill of the operator to be ineffective to perform the aforesaid functions of heating, cleaning and mixing the air that is supplied to the associated internal combustion engine or to perform the aforesaid functions of heating, cleaning and mixing the air either to the full capacity of the device or in any one of a plurality of proportions or degrees.

It is also an object of my invention to provide acombination device of the character mentioned, with a view to compactness and cheapness of manufacture, and readiness of attachment to any stationary or automotive engine now in common use, with little or no alteration of. any of the parts thereof,

and without interfering with the proper functioning of the engine soprovided, or with any of its other attachments. 7

To secure the ends desired, my invention consists of certain novel features, one form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,and which maybe described generally as a light metal apparatus, consisting substantially of the combination of anoven, open at one end and closed at the other, surrounding partof the exhaust manifold of the engine. An opening near the closed end of the oven connected 7 by a tube, through which the, air, having-been heated by contact with the hot exhaust'manifold is conducted to an elongated portion of a 'rectangularly-shaped, upright cleaning chamber. A diaphragm in said cleaning chamber extending from the top thereof downward for only a portion of the depth of the cleaning chamber, which diaphragm divides the-cleaning chamber into two compartments at its upper part, and which diaphragm also forms, with the sides of the chamber, a continuation of the tube leading from the oven. It also makes ofthe chamber an inverted siphon. A. cleaning fluid, such as water, is contained in said cleaning chamber to a height slightlyabove the lower end of the diaphragm preferably about half an inch to an inch. A float chamber connected to the cleaning chamber by means of which the fluid is supplied and'its proper level in the cleaning chamber maintained. A supply tank containing a supply of fluid, connected to the. float chamber by means of a hose, set in position slightly above the level of the fluid in the float chamber, so the fluid can flow into itby gravity. An overflow port in the float chamber above the normal level of the fluid to prevent flooding in case the needle valve of the float chamber fails to function properly. A hole in the bottom of the cleaning chamber covered by a screw cap, for removing debris. A faucet in the outlet pipe of the supply tank to regulate the flow therefrom. A tube leading from the top of the cleaning chamber, in

the compartment other than the one above mentioned,connecting with the intake air port of the carburetor of the engine. The cleaning'chamber being sufficiently long, or. sufficient in heightto allow the collection pf areasonable amount of dirt and debris, to contain a reasonable amount of cleaning fluid, and having space enough above the surface of the fluid to prevent' its being drawn into the engineby suction or splashmg. c

In the elongated portion of the chamber, there is a port opening'to the atmosphere. A flap valve'controls this port, which valve is hinged above the port and may be set inpositions, (a) fully closed; slightly open; (0) more open; (d) and entirely open. The flap valve swings into the elongated portion, so that as the portis opened more lot) I a a A lever is attached to one end of the valve shaft, to which is connected a rod extending; through the instrument board, to which rod is attached a button. conveniently placed with reference to the operator.

A similarly operated valve is placed in the upper part of the diaphragn'i inside the cleaning chamber and above the surface of the fluid, hinged at its lower edge. witch swings from a position against the dia phragm and covering a bypass port in said diaphragm. and which valve may be set and held in several positions. as closed, slightly open, more open, and entirely open. swim);- in}; into the elongated portion of the chamber; has the valve gradually opened. it more and more directs air through the by pass port. and less and less through the intake compartment and into the cleaning fluid.

The side of the elongated portion oi the chamber to which the valves are l'iinp ed is oil-set or recessed so that the intake coinpartnicnt otters a smooth. unbroken group of surfaces to the pas 1e oi the air.

The apparatus is of size throughout suliicientl v large tor the unimpeded operation of the engine for :l reedoin from bothersome frequency of attention. and is securely attached to the engine or car as close as pracs ticable to the carburetor.

In operation, at the full capacity of the device. with both mentioned valves closing: their ports. the suction ot' the engine draws air from the atmosphere into the oven surrounding part oi the exhaust manifold. where, after being heated by contact with the hot pip or manifold. it passes from the oven into the intake tube and into the elongated portion of th cleanimr chamber. and. down the intake compartment. into the tluid and through it, and upward through the remaining: compartment of the chamber. through the second mentioned tub and into the intake air port of the carburetor and thence into the engine. In its passage through the cleaning: fluid. the airis washed clean of all dirt. dust and other sold particles, and is also partly saturated (if water is the cleaning lluid used). with an amount ot vapor. varying as the air and i'luid are heat-- ed. The dirt particles settle to the bottom of the cleaning chamber. whence they can be retrieved at intervals through the drain opening: mentioned. by taking oil the screw cap. As the fluid evaporated. it is replenished by the float chamber. and its level maintained at a uniform height in the chamber. as long as the supply lasts in the supplv tank.

Now. in case it is not desired to heat the air to the full capacity of the apparatus. the port which opens to the atniosphere. in the elongated portion of the cleaning; chamber may be opened to any one of several positions, and held there. by means of which as much unheated air can be admitted. and as much heated air shut out, as may be desired.

it the temperature oi the atmosphere is below the freezing point oi "ater, any other suitable cleaning fluid, as alcohol. kerosene or a mixture, of water and alcohol may be used.

Also, in case it is not desired to clean and moisten the air to the full capacity of the device. the port in the diaphragm. near the top ot the cleaning chamber above the surface at th fluid. may be opened to any one oi several positions. and held there, by means of which some, more, or all oi the air passes through the by-pass port into the outlet portion of the chaining chamber. through the tube leading): out of it and into the carburetor.

In case the automotive engine has an oven cast integral with th exhaust manifold, (as many have). my oven can be dispensed with and the intake tube attached directly to the oven provided.

lhe knobs of buttons on the rods connected to the lovers which control the valves mentioned. lit close against the instrument boar when the ports are entirely closed. and stop-nuts o the rods behind the instrument board are set at such positions as to prevent the rods being pulled out too far, and injuringthe valves.

The (litl1)l1l.:l{ll1'1 has a lu'n'izontal lip on its lower end point ng into the main portion of the chamber and away llOll'l th intak com partnicnt. which compels the air to pass through a creator extent oi? iluid. insures a more nearly con'iplete surrounding: of the upward stream of air by the fluid. and allows less liability ol breaking the siphon.

'lhe valves are longer than the horizontal diameter of the intake compartment. closing the intake compartment at an acute angle. to permit the incoi'ninp; air to impinge upon them at an easy angle.

The rectangular form of cleaning cham her and its elongated portion is preferred to a cylindrical form with two tubes entering the chamber. as experiment shows the l'fllzlll tlllltll shape is more cheapl made and is better adapted to placing th valves men tioned.

The above description is general. and substantial. and I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself strictl to the precise details oi? construction described and illus trated. as it obvious that these details may be modified without dcynnting from the principles of my invention I am aware that there have been invented many forms of heating. clcaningr. and vapor charging. devices. but none ofthem. as far as I am aware. combines in one apparatus all of the functions of heating. cleaning, and moistening; all of the air, or varying proportions lid ill)

of it, or of not performing the functions of heating, cleaning and moistening, as and when desired.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown an apparatus tlon 1n oneform.

embodying my inven- Figure 1 is aside elevation of the entire apparatus, as attached ,to an automobile,

with the instrument board and the parti--' tion between the engine and body of the l showing the un-heated air intake portentirely open and the heated-air tube entirely closed, and the mean'sof hinging and oper-- atmg the valve which controlsthe port.

Figure 3 is a side velevationof a lever,

audits related parts, for operating a by pass port valve inside the cleaning chamber. Figure 4 is a vertical section of the cleaning chamber and float chamber, inperspective. I p

Figure 5 is a side elevation of a second lever, and its related parts, for operating the unheated air intake valve in the elongated portion of the cleaning chamber.

Figure 6 is a vertical section ofthat; side of the elongated portion of the cleaning chamber'to which the unheated air intake valve is attached, showing how the valve is set-off into a recess in the said'wall. H

In Figures 3 and 5, identical numbers are used for similar parts, excepting the levers, springs and operating rods. if i The samenumbers refer to identical parts in the several drawings.

The exhaust manifold 9, ofengine block: 10 is partly surrounded by oven 12, which 1 is open at tlie front (right-hand) end and closed at the back. Tube 11 opens out of the .top of oven; 12 and connects with elon{ gated portion 15 of cleaning chamber or tank 24. Diaphragm '43 separates cleaning chamber 24 into two compartments verti cally for a portion ofitsheight, one compartment forming a continuation ofthe elongated" portiomiwhich, with. tube 11, forms the air intake tube of the apparatus. Tube 16 connects the cleaning chamber at its top with :the intake air portlof mixing chamber 18, which, with fuel float chamber 17, forms the carburetor of; .the engine. Cleaning fluid is, supplied to and maintained at a fixed height 46, above thelower end 47 of diaphragm 43 by a .pipe connectingv with cleaning-fluid float chamber 20. Intake pipe 21 of float chamber is connectedto a hose 22 which connects to an outlet pipe 25 of supply tank'28, WhiCliis supported partly by' thelframe of the car 27, (cut away at bothen'ds)! and securely braced to partitionp8, which diyides the space under the hood from the balance of the'car body, by band29, which is boltedte said partition8.

Cleaning chamber 24 is provided with an opening in its bottom for removal of debris, covered by'screw cap 23.

Float chamber 20 has a safety over-flow pipe 48'place'd above the normal level 46 7 of the cleaning fluid. The float chamber used is any conventionaltype and is not specially described. Over-flow pipe 48 is provided in case the needle valve of the float chamber 20 fails to function.

, Supply tank 28 is filled througha hole in its top covered by screw cap 30.

Specially referring to Figure 2, elongated portion 15' of cleaning chamber 24 has a'port open to the atmosphere in one side,

indicated by reference letters, a, b, 0', d.

This .port is controlled, (opened and closed) by a flap valve 33, hinged to shaft 32 journalled in an off-set portion 41 (Fig. 4) of elongated portion 15. Lever 14 is fastened on shaft32, and shaft 32 is held in place by cotter pins 31. The illustration (Fig. 2) shows port a, Z), 0, d entirely open, and elongated portion 15 above the valve 33 entirely closed by said valve 33.

Specially referring to Figures 3 and 5,

lever-s 14 and 25 both have notches 34 on a surface concentric to their points of support. Pawl 35 engages these notches, and is on the end of springs 13 and 19; 36 in both figures, is a'pi'n fixed in the side of the chamber whichh'olds the spring down in place. 37 is a' cotter pin passing through a hole in support pin 38 for retaining same. 38 is a support axis for springs 13 and 19, attached to the side of the chamber. 37 is a cotter pin passing through a hole in support pin 38 for holding the springs in place. Rods 6 and 7 are bent at right angles to pass through holes in the endsof levers 14 and 25, and are held there by cotter pins39 which pass through openings in the rods 6 and 7. Gotter pins40 pass through openings in the shafts 32, (which similarly support valves 33 '(Fig. 2) and 44 (Fig. 4.). I The cotter pins 40 serve to retain the levers 14 and 25 p on their respective rods 32.

,Specially referring to Flgure 4, 33 shows valve 33, by dotted. lines in the same position as illustrated in Fig. 2. 44 is the valve which controls the port in the diaphragm 43,

and dotted lines 44 show the valve opening the port'and closing the intake compartment below the valve. 45 is the offset portion of diaphragm 43 into which the valve 44 is placed. This valve is operated by lever 25 (Fig. 3.).and valve 33 is operated by lever 14., Both are hinged on similar shafts 32, 32. Again specially referring to Fig. 1, 1 is push button or knob, fastened to rod 7 which passes through; the instrument board'3 of the car, and;also throughpartition 8 and connects with lever 25, which, as said above,

ittl

i valve operates valve all. Nut 5 on rod 7 prevents the rod being pulled out too "l ar, and button or knob l comes in contact with instrument board 2% when rod 7 is pushed down to its tarthest extent.

:2 is a similar knob or button on the end of rod 6. which likewise passes through instrument board 3 and partition 8, and is connected to the end of lever ll, which operates an. Nut -ton rod (5 serves the same purpose as nut 5 on red 7. Button 2 touches instrument board 3 when pushed down'to its tartbeet extent.

t? (big. t) is a horizontal lip on end of diaphragm l3 extending a. short distance into outlet compartment of cleaning chamber Ell whereby the siphon is less likely to be broken by the inrueh of air.

The device is supported by braces bolted to any convenient part of the engine or car.

Having thus fully described my inventioln what i claim as new and wish to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an attachment for internal combustion emrines. an air cleaning chamber having spaced air intake and air delivery ports adjacent to its upper end and being adapted to hold a liquid below said ports, a transverse partition cxtei'idiag within said chamber between said ports from the top wall oi? the chamber below the normal level of liquid within the clnuuher. said partition having an air lit-puss port in the portion thereof that is located above the level of liquid within the chamber. and a valve for controlling liow ot' air through said bypass port, said air delivery port being adapted for connection with the air intake port of the *arbih rotor of an associated internal combustion engine.

:2. in an attachment for internal combustion enginca. an air cleaning chamber ha ving spaced air intake and air delivery ports adjacent to its upper end and being adapted to hold a liquid below said ports. a transverse partition extending within said chamber be- Tween said ports from the top wall of the chamber below the normal level of liquid within the chamber. said partition having an air bypass port in the portion thereof that is located above the level oi liquid within the chamber. a valve for controlling flow oi air through said b v-pass port, said air deliver v port being adapted for connection with the air intake port ol the carburetor of an associated internal combustion engine, and means tor maintaining a constant level oi liquid within said chamber.

:3. In an attachment for internal con1bus tion engines. an air cleaning chamber having spaced air intake and air delivery ports adiaccnt to its upper end and being adapted to hold a liquid below said ports, a transverse partition extending within said chamber between said ports from the top wall of the chamber below the normal level of liquid within the chamber, said partition having; an air by-pass port in the portion thereof that is located above the level of ll( uid within the chamber, a valve for controlling flow oi air through said by-pass port, said air delivery port being adapted for connection with the air intake port of the carburetor of an associated internal combustion engine. the said partition having a late ally turned deflector lip at its lower end.

4-. In an attachment for internal combustion engines. an air cleaning chamber having spaced air intake and air delivery ports adjacent to its upper end and being adapted to hold a liquid below said ports, a transverse partition extending within said chamber between said ports from the top wall of the chamber below the normal level of liquid within the chamber. said partition having an air by-pass port in the portion thereof that is located above the level of liquid within the chamber. a valve for controlling flow of air through said by-pass port. said air delivery port being adapted tor connection with the air intake port of the carlniretov of an associated internal combustion engine, said chamber having a normally closed clean'out opening in its bottom.

In an attachment for internal combustion engines. an air cleaning chamber having spaced air intake and air delivery ports adjacent to its upper end and being adapted to hold a liquid below said ports, a transverse partition extending within said chamber between said ports from the top all of the chamber below the normal level o'l. liquid within the chamber, said partition having an air by-pass port in the portion thereof that is located above the level of liquid within the chamber. a valve for controlling flow of air through said bypass port, said air delivery port being adapted for connection with the air intake port of the carburetor of" an associated internal combustion engine. an oven adapted to partially surround the exhaust manifold of the internal combustion engine. and an air conducting connection be tween said oven and said air intake port oi the air cleaning chamber.

6. In an attachment oil the character described, a tank adapted to hold a liquid in its lower part and having an air outlet port at the top of its body portion, said tankbeing formed to provide an air intake passage extending from above the body portion of the tank into the body portion of the tank below the level 01" the liquid within the body of the tank, said air intake passage being adapted at its upper end for connection with a source of heated air supply, said air intake passage also having a lateral air intake port above the top of the body of the tank and a lateral bypass port within the body of the tank but above the level of the liquid within the tank, said lateral air intake port pass port selectively, said air outlet port be ing adapted for connection with the air intake port of the carburetor of an associated internal combustion engine.

7. In an attachment of the character described, a tank adapted to hold a liquid in its lower part and having an air outlet port at the top of its body portion, said tank being formed to provide an air intake passage extending from above the body portion of the tank into the body portion of the tank below the level of the liquid within the body of the tank, said air intake passage being adapted at its upper end for connec tion with a source of heated air supply, said air intake passage also having a lateral air intake port above the top of the body of the tank anda lateral by-pass port within the body of the tank but above the level of the liquid within the tank, said lateral air intake port beingopen to the atmosphere, a pivoted fiap valve for closing the upper portion of said'air intake passage and said lateral air intake port selectively, and a sec' 0nd pivoted flap valve for closing the lower portion of said air intake passage and said lateral by-pass port selectively, said air outlet port being adapted for connection with the air intake port of the carburetor of an associated internal combustion engine, said air intake passage having laterally curved bearing portions supporting said valves.

8. In an attachment of the character described, a tank adapted to hold a liquid in its lower part and having an air outlet port at the top of its body portion, said tank being formedto provide an air intake passage extending from above the body por tion of the tank into the body portion of the tank below the level of the liquid within the body of the tank, said air intake passage being adapted at its upper end for connection with a source of air supply, said air intake passage also having a lateral air intake port above the top of the body of the tank and a lateral by-pass port within the body of the tank but above the level of the liquid within the tank, saidlateral air intake port being open to the atmosphere, a pivoted flap valve for closing the'upper portion of said air intake passage and said lateral air intake port selectively, and a second pivoted flap valve for closing the lower portion of said air intake passage and said lateral by-pass port selectively, said air outlet port being adapted for connection with the air intake port of the carburetor of an associated internal combustion engine, and means operable at a distance from-said tank for operating said valves. I

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

LE'W ROGERS. 

